Editing 754 (section)

==== Europe ====
* [[July]] &ndash; Stephen II anoints Pepin's sons, Charles (later known as [[Charlemagne]]) and [[Carloman I|Carloman]], consecrating them as patricians. At [[Quierzy]] he proclaims the [[Carolingian dynasty]] holy, and appeals for help against the [[Kingdom of the Lombards|Lombards]]. Finally, the [[Francia|Frankish]] nobles give their consent to a campaign in [[Lombardy]].
* [[July 28]] &ndash; [[Pope Stephen II]] re-consecrates [[Pepin the short|Pepin III (the Short)]] as [[List of Frankish kings#Later Kings of the Franks (679–751)|king of the Franks]], at the [[Basilica of St Denis|Basilica of Saint-Denis]] outside [[Paris]], bestowing upon him the additional title of [[Patrician (ancient Rome)#Late Roman and Byzantine period|Patricius of the Romans]]. This marks the first recorded [[Coronation|crowning]] of a civil ruler by a [[pope]].<ref>Kazhdan (1991), p. 1600</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Pope Stephen II |editor-last=Kazhdan|editor-first=Alexander|editor-link=Alexander Kazhdan|encyclopedia=The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium|year=1991|volume=1|location=New York|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> Pepin assumes the role of ordained protector of the [[Catholic Church]].

* Summer &ndash; The [[Franks]] under Pepin III invade [[Italy]], and defeat the Lombards under King [[Aistulf]], in the [[Susa Valley]] ([[Piedmont]]). He enforces the terms, including cession of the [[Exarchate of Ravenna]] to [[Rome]].
* The oldest document mentioning the city of [[Ferrara]] ([[Northern Italy]]) is from this year (approximate date).